Decriminalizing prostitution and creating a sex workers’ bill of rights

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law it is a crime to practice prostitution, to solicit a person to practice prostitution or to commit a sex act with a prostitute, and to patronize or keep a place of prostitution. This bill eliminates such crimes if the actors are adults.

This bill also creates a sex workers’ bill of rights. The bill states that persons performing consensual sexual services, erotic performances, or related activities in exchange for something of value have rights granted to other workers in this state. Specifically, the rights include the right not to be subject to prosecution for engaging in sex work; the right to minimum wage and hour protections; the right to protection against discrimination, harassment, and unsafe working conditions; the right to access workers’ compensation and health benefits; and the right to privacy from surveillance. The bill also provides that sex workers may not be discriminated against in access to housing, public or financial services, or health care based on their status as a sex worker.

Who's behind it

5 representatives are its authors⁠. All 5 are Democrats.